In a bizarre twist of political theater, US President Donald Trump and India’s Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi have joined hands in a chorus of absurdity, labeling India’s economy as “dead” under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership. This hyperbolic claim, dripping with either ignorance or political opportunism, collapses under the weight of hard data and undeniable progress. Far from being a corpse, India’s economy is a vibrant, dynamic force, surging forward with transformative reforms, infrastructure leaps, and global recognition. Let’s dissect this laughable narrative and lay bare the reality of India’s economic ascent, mocking the myopia of its detractors while celebrating the nation’s resilience.
The “Dead Economy” Jibe: A Political Stunt, Not a Fact
Trump, known for his bombastic rhetoric, recently slapped a 25% tariff on Indian imports, citing India’s trade ties with Russia and dismissing its economy as “dead.” Rahul Gandhi, ever eager to seize an anti-Modi talking point, echoed this claim, alleging that Modi’s policies—ranging from demonetization to a “flawed GST”—have killed India’s economic prospects, primarily to benefit industrialist Gautam Adani. This transcontinental tag-team of naysayers seems to have missed the memo: India’s economy is not only alive but sprinting ahead, leaving their criticisms looking like a poorly scripted comedy skit.
Let’s start with the absurdity of the “dead economy” label. India, under Modi’s stewardship, surpassed Japan in 2025 to become the world’s fourth-largest economy with a GDP of $4.19 trillion, trailing only the United States, China, and Germany. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has upgraded India’s growth forecast for 2025, calling it the fastest-growing major economy, while the World Bank has dubbed it the “standout growth story” of the decade. This is no small feat for a nation supposedly “dead.” Trump’s bluster and Gandhi’s parroting betray a disconnect from reality, as India’s macroeconomic indicators paint a picture of resilience and ambition.
Economic Growth: A Powerhouse in Motion
Far from being stagnant, India’s GDP has more than tripled over the past decade, driven by structural reforms like the Goods and Services Tax (GST) and the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code. These measures, often criticized by Gandhi as “flawed,” have streamlined tax systems and improved business efficiency, boosting India’s global competitiveness. The GST, despite initial teething issues, has unified India’s fragmented tax regime, increasing compliance and revenue collection. In 2024-25, GST collections crossed ₹2 lakh crore monthly, a testament to its growing efficacy.
India’s economic rise is not just domestic bravado; it’s validated globally. With GDP projected to hit $7.3 trillion by 2030, India is on track to become the world’s third-largest economy. This is hardly the trajectory of a “dead” economy but rather one pulsating with potential.
Infrastructure: Building the Backbone of Progress
If Trump and Gandhi bothered to look beyond their soundbites, they’d notice India’s infrastructure boom, a cornerstone of Modi’s vision. National highways have expanded from 91,287 km in 2014 to 146,204 km by March 2025, a 60% increase that enhances connectivity and trade. The aviation sector has soared, with 160 operational airports, including innovative water aerodromes and heliports, up from just 74 a decade ago. This infrastructure surge isn’t just about concrete and steel; it’s about knitting India’s vast geography into a cohesive economic engine.
India’s railway sector, often overlooked by critics, has undergone a remarkable transformation, further debunking the “dead economy” myth. Under Modi’s leadership, Indian Railways has introduced 102 Vande Bharat trains by 2025, connecting 280 districts with semi-high-speed, indigenous trains that symbolize India’s technological prowess. The railway network’s electrification has reached 93% by March 2025, up from just 21% in 2014, making it one of the greenest rail systems globally. All passenger coaches now feature bio-vacuum toilets, a 100% installation milestone achieved by 2023, enhancing passenger hygiene. Station redevelopment under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme has modernized 1,300 stations with world-class facilities, while the Swachh Bharat mission has ensured unprecedented cleanliness across platforms. The metro network has expanded to 945 km across 20 cities by 2025, from just 248 km in 2014, with projects like the Delhi-Meerut RRTS showcasing cutting-edge urban mobility. This railway renaissance is a testament to India’s infrastructure ambition, directly contradicting Trump and Gandhi’s baseless claims.
The digital infrastructure story is equally compelling. India’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI) has become the world’s leading real-time payment system, processing over 640 million transactions daily, surpassing Visa’s global volume. This digital revolution, fostered under Modi’s Digital India initiative, has empowered millions, from street vendors to small businesses, to participate in the formal economy. Calling this a “dead” economy is like calling the sun dim—purely laughable.
Investment: A Magnet for Global Capital
Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) tells another story of vitality. India has seen record FDI inflows, with $81 billion in 2024 alone, driven by policies like “Make in India” that Trump and Gandhi deride. Global tech giants like Apple, Tesla, and Samsung have set up manufacturing bases in India, attracted by its stable policies and growing market. The Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme has spurred investments in electronics, pharmaceuticals, and green energy, positioning India as a hub in global value chains.
Contrast this with Gandhi’s claim that Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) have been “wiped out.” While MSMEs faced challenges during demonetization and GST implementation, government initiatives like the Mudra Yojana have disbursed over ₹23 lakh crore to 43 crore small entrepreneurs since 2015. MSMEs contribute 30% to India’s GDP and 45% to exports, hardly the picture of devastation Gandhi paints. His narrative, echoed by Trump’s tariffs, ignores the resilience of India’s small businesses, which have adapted and thrived in a modernizing economy.
Trade: A Global Player, Not a Pushover
Trump’s tariffs and Gandhi’s complaints about India’s trade policies reveal a shared misunderstanding of India’s global trade strategy. India’s exports have surged, reaching $776 billion in 2024, a significant rise from $466 billion in 2014. The country has diversified its trade partners, signing free trade agreements with the UK, Australia, and the UAE, reducing reliance on any single market like the US. Trump’s 25% tariff, harsher than those on China or Japan, may dent short-term growth by 40 basis points, but India’s strategic realignment toward alternative markets mitigates this impact.
Gandhi’s assertion that Modi will “bow” to Trump’s trade demands is equally baseless. Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal has firmly stated that India will only sign trade deals in its national interest, a stance echoed by Modi’s refusal to yield to external pressure. India’s strategic autonomy, rooted in its non-aligned legacy, allows it to balance relations with the US, Russia, and others without capitulating to bullying. Trump’s “king of tariffs” jab at India overlooks the fact that high tariffs have shielded domestic industries while attracting foreign investment, a balancing act Modi has mastered.
Jobs: Empowering the Youth
Rahul Gandhi’s claim that Modi has “destroyed the future of India’s youth” by killing jobs is perhaps the most tired trope in his arsenal. Data tells a different story. The Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) shows unemployment dropping to 4.2% in 2024 from 6% in 2018. The startup ecosystem, fueled by initiatives like Startup India, has created over 12 lakh jobs, with India hosting 100,000 startups and 110 unicorns by 2025. The gig economy, bolstered by digital platforms, employs millions, while skilling programs like Skill India have trained over 5 crore youth since 2015.
Farmers, whom Gandhi claims are “crushed,” have benefited from schemes like PM-KISAN, which has transferred ₹3 lakh crore to 11 crore farmers since 2019. Agricultural exports hit $50 billion in 2024, reflecting the sector’s robustness. These numbers expose the hollowness of Gandhi’s narrative, which seems more aligned with political point-scoring than economic reality.
The Political Comedy of Errors
Trump and Gandhi’s “dead economy” duet is a masterclass in political posturing over substance. Trump’s tariffs are less about India’s economy and more about his domestic agenda, while Gandhi’s endorsement reveals a desperation to score points against Modi, even at the cost of national pride. Congress leaders like Shashi Tharoor and Rajiv Shukla have distanced themselves from Gandhi’s stance, with Tharoor emphasizing India’s trade options and Shukla defending the economy’s strength. Even allies like Shiv Sena’s Priyanka Chaturvedi have called Trump’s remarks arrogant, leaving Gandhi isolated in his echo chamber.
Former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda’s sharp rebuke of Trump as “volatile and irresponsible” and Gandhi as his “deluded spokesperson” captures the sentiment perfectly. Businessman Suhel Seth’s quip that Gandhi’s criticism reflects “anger against India” rather than Modi underscores the self-inflicted wound of such rhetoric.
Conclusion: A Thriving India Defies the Naysayers
India’s economy is not dead; it’s a global powerhouse, driven by visionary policies, robust infrastructure, and an ambitious workforce. Trump’s tariffs and Gandhi’s rants are mere noise against the symphony of India’s progress. With a GDP soaring, infrastructure expanding, investments pouring in, trade diversifying, and jobs growing, India under Modi is scripting a growth story that resonates worldwide. The only thing “dead” here is the credibility of those who peddle such baseless claims. As India races toward a $7.3 trillion economy, Trump and Gandhi might want to check their facts—or at least their script—before their next stage performance.
